WORC Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is the point of contact for the U.S. Department of Labor’s WORC Initiative?

o Sabrina Guerrier (DOL-ETA-DWG@dol.gov) (FOA, page 50).

2. When do you need to seek approval from the WORC Initiative grantor contact if you 

want to purchase equipment?

o After the award announcement, and prior to the purchase (FOA, page 13).

3. How many training sites can be involved?

o That’s up to the applicant. If all the requirements of the FOA are met (budget, 

project narrative, etc.) the application will be scored according to the evaluation 

criteria (FOA, page 8).

4. Is collaboration with other entities required?

o Yes. Applicants must demonstrate collaboration with a strong and diverse 

community-wide coalition that includes: 

• at least two employers/industry representatives; 

• at least one State or Local Workforce Development Board, American Job 

Center operator or partner program, (except where such organization is the 

applicant); 

• and at least one organization representing the community(ies) (except 

where such organization is the applicant) covered by the proposed project 

to ensure that local input is part of the planning and execution of the grant. 

(FOA, page 27)

5. Are leveraged funds good or bad?

o Per the FOA, page 17, “Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources to 

increase stakeholder investment in the project and broaden the impact of the 

project itself.” However, leveraged funds are not necessary and will not be scored 

in the application review. 

6. Can you expand on “strategic planning for economic transformation?” What is an 

example? Is it required?

o No, this is an example of one of the Eligible Activities for this grant. Examples of 

these activities can be found in the FOA, pages 12-13.
7. What are the best approaches if you want to focus on strategic planning first?

o The approach depends on the applicant’s unique project goals and objectives. 

More information can be found on the FOA, pages 12-13. Strategic planning 

cannot be the only focus of a WORC grant, but some planning activities are 

eligible if implementation activities are also a main component of the project.

8. Can you apply for funding if you need equipment? 

o Yes, purchasing equipment is an allowable expense per the FOA, pages 13-14. 

9. Can you use an outside entity to provide an economic analysis?

o Yes, please refer to the FOA, page 18 for an explanation of “Contractual” services.

10. Is there a minimum word length required for the project narrative?

o The FOA does not indicate a minimum word length. However, the maximum 

number of pages is 20. Please refer to pages 19-29 of the FOA.

11. Is the map part of the two pages of the required Abstract?

o Please refer to page 30 of the FOA on how to best interpret the abstract 

requirements.

12. How do we ensure our project aligns with DRA’s four pillars of the RDP IV in addition to 

our state plans?

o Here is a link to DRA’s RDP IV.

o Applicants will need to research their state’s plan to ensure alignment. State 

plans can be found on DRA’s website: https://dra.gov/about/strategicdevelopment-plan/ (scroll down).

13. How do you define “good jobs?”

o The FOA (pages 3-5) identifies eight indicators that are designed to form the 

foundation of an equitable economy that uplifts workers and families and makes 

businesses more competitive.
14. Does the sub-awardee use the same UEI?

o No, the sub-awardee must have their own UEI through sam.gov. Please refer to 

pages 16-17 of the FOA.

15. Can you include a letter of support from your member(s) of Congress?

o Please read the “requested attachments” section of the FOA, page 31. A letter of 

support from a Member of Congress will not result in additional points according 

to the evaluation criteria.

16. Do you include the partnership letter under the requested attachments in the project 

narrative?

o Yes. FOA, page 31.

17. What are the three core principles?

o Promoting Availability of Good Jobs, Prioritizing Equity, and Driving and 

Sustaining Economic Transformation (FOA, pages 3-5)

18. If your organization cannot manage a grant, can you hire an outside fiscal agent to 

manage the grant?

o Yes, this is allowable so long as the applicant has its own funds to support the 

fiscal agent’s costs, or the applicant uses some of their indirect costs for this 

purpose. 

19. If you provide training for students, can you ask students to pay for the training, or 

should I use funds from the grant to pay for training?

o Per the FOA page 12, “Training costs must be fully covered under the project 

(including via leveraged resources where applicable) and may not result in debt 

(including student loan debt) to the participant. In addition, stipends may be 

provided to encourage enrollment and retain participation in training or other 

program activities such as Registered Apprenticeships, paid internships, or 

other.”

20. Are you required to prove that you serve rural communities?

o Refer to pages 20-21 of the FOA describing how successful applicants must 

describe the project service area, challenges, and opportunities. 
21. Is there a minimum number of jobs to track? 

o The FOA does not indicate a minimum number of jobs to track. For more

information, read the “expected results” section on page 22 of the FOA.

22. Can the WORC Initiative grant focus solely on strategic planning?

o No. Strategic planning cannot be the only focus of a WORC grant, but some 

planning activities are eligible if implementation activities are also a main 

component of the project.

23. If you are still in the period of performance for a previous WORC grant, can you apply 

for WORC 5?

o Yes, as long as the project design and scope of work is different from the 

previously funded project. The proposed project cannot be a continuation of the 

existing program.

24. Would a community college meet the community organization “partner” requirement?

o No. On page 28 of the FOA, it states that, “In addition to the three types of 

required partners..., recommended partnerships may include, but are not , 

limited to:

• labor unions or labor management partnerships; 

• local and regional employer/industry networks; 

• local economic development organizations; 

• local governments; 

• regional planning organizations; 

• institutions of higher education and other job training and adult education 

providers; 

• supportive and human services providers; and 

• other relevant community, economic and workforce development partners. 

25. I understand that we can pursue this grant in only one of the regions (DRA, ARC or 

NBRC). Is that for lead applicants only? I know of orgs who would want to partner on 

more than one grant proposal but not as the lead.

o Yes, an organization may only apply once as the lead applicant (FOA, page 9). 

However, an entity may serve as a partner on multiple applications.